In a leafy corner of Willenhall Memorial Park, something quietly powerful has been growing. What began as a casual conversation during a walk through Fibbersley Nature Reserve has blossomed into a vibrant writing group rooted in creativity, community and connection to place.

In 2024, Creative Black Country solidified a meaningful partnership with whg (Walsall Housing Group) to launch a new artist-in-residence initiative. Hosted across their recently opened over-55s wellbeing schemes, Lockside Pointe in Walsall and Nightingale House in Wolverhampton…

From May 2024 to May 2025, Art Road Trip – the National Gallery’s travelling art studio – visited 18 locations across the UK. In March 2025, the colourful mobile studio rolled into the Black Country for two lively weeks of creative activity in Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Making our Mark is now underway in Walsall. At the beginning of July we met some of members of he first five groups who have received the project’s small grants.

Walsall is a place rich with stories—of traditions passed down through generations, of communities shaped by migration, resilience and creativity. Now, a new opportunity is opening up for local groups to shine a light on their own unique histories through Making Our Mark, a community-led heritage project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

During 2024 we were busy building on our community and creative relationships across Walsall with a series of collaborative projects, pop-ups, opportunities, commissions and partnerships that we hope will redefine local places, instil local pride and create a sense of cultural confidence.

Thank you to everyone that came along to Walsall in December to celebrate 6 months of creativity across the borough.

Hannah and Lisa hosted 5 creative workshops throughout November and December 2024 focussing on hand sewing and making items to combat the cold weather.

Musician Millicent Chapanda led a series of workshops with Afrikan Fusion over 6 weeks culminating in live performances.

The Hidden Hands of Walsall procession took place in the town centre at the end of November and has been captured in this beautiful film by Carl Gibbons.

Walsall is positioning itself as one of the most creative areas in the Black Country, with a host of innovative projects and collaborations shaping a vibrant cultural future.

Bostin Creatives organised a beautiful inclusive day of free festivities and activities for the whole family at the Walsall Hub including: Drop in crafts, Christmas card making, live music, festive storytelling and games and a Christmas performance.

The Hidden Hands of Walsall engaged with a group of women from diverse and often migrant backgrounds living in Walsall who regularly meet at Simple Steps CIC and Aaina Community Hub.

The team at Walsall Creative Factory didn’t let the horrible weekend weather spoil their plans as they delivered a stunning example of community resilience and creativity with their lantern trail representing local history and diversity.

Three artists have taken up residency in empty shops in Walsall to make art. Located on the top floor of the Saddler Centre artists Daya Bhattia, Queenie Garland and Dan Griffin-Hayes will occupy two empty shops until December 2024 creating new temporary public artworks for Walsall. 

In collaboration with One Walsall and as part of the 'Walsall Makes' programme, Creative Black Country (CBC) is proud to announce the recipients of the series of Small Community Cultural Grants (ranging from £1k to £5k) as part of our ongoing partnership to celebrate and enrich local culture in Walsall.

Juneau Projects, the innovative artist duo known for their community-centered and interactive works, have been awarded the prestigious Artist in Residency opportunity, presented through a new partnership between Midlands landlord whg and Creative Black Country (CBC).

Small Community Cultural Grants of £1k to £5k available to support brand new community cultural and creative activity in Walsall Borough.

Creative Communities special series - PART 01: WALSALL

CBC Creative Advisor Laura chats to David who shares how he collaborated with the team at the Creative Factory and how they set up a writing group.